Lifting and/or sideward driving mechanism for automobiles



Aug. 24, 1937. A. A. THOMAS I LIFTING AND/OR SIDEWARD DRIVING MECHANISM FOR AUTOMOBILES 7 Shets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 2, 1930 i I; i

INVENTOR Aug. 24, 1937.

A. A. THOMAS LI-FTING AND/OR SIDEWARD DRIVING MECHANISM FOR- AUTOMOBILES Filed Aug. 2, 1930 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEOR Aug. 24, 1937. A THOMAS 2,090,768

' LIFTING AND/0R SIDEWARD DRIVING MECHANISM FOR AUTOMOBILES Filed Aug. 2, 1930 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR A. A. THOMAS Aug. 24, 1937.

LIFTING AND/OR SIDEWARD DRIVING MECHANISM FOR AUTOMOBILES 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 2, Q 1950 Au 24, 1937. A, A, THOMA 2,090,768

LIFTING AND/OR SIDEWARD DRIVING MECHANISM FOR AUTOMOBILES Filed Aug. 2, 1930 7 Sheet-Sheet 5 s2 72 E 20 22 Z/ 78 H INVENTOR- A. A. THOMAS 2,090,768

LI-FTING AND/OR SIDEWARD DRIVING MECHANISM FOR AUTOMOBILE$ Aug. 24, 1937.

Filed Aug. 2, 1930 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR A. A. THOMAS 6 .LIFTING ANDOR SIDEWARD DRIVING MECHANISM FOR AUTOMOBILES Filed Aug. 2, 1930 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 2-2 INVENTOR Patented Aug. 24, 393? FQE LKFTIING AND/R SIDEWARD DRIVING MEQDHANESM FOR AUTOMOBILES 4i Claims.

This invention relates to automobiles and its object is to provide practical means for lifting and/or driving a car sideward in either direction. The need of a lateral drive for automobiles has long been recognized, but as far as I know all previous attempts to solve that problem have been impractical. For example, it has been proposed to lift a car on small parking wheels geared to the engine shaft for lateral 1e propulsion of the car. Parking devices of that kind are utterly useless, because the mechanical transmission connections between the engine shaft and the parking wheels are too complicated to be installed on any car.

My novel parking mechanism has no mechanical connection with the automobile engine and is controlled entirely by hand. keys or buttons on the instrument panel of the car. One feature of my invention comprises means utilizing the kinetic energy of the exhaust gases from the engine to lift the car and support it on a set of parking wheels. For this purpose I connect a small gas, turbine beneath the car with the exhaust manifold of the engine, so that the high- 25 speed gases rotate the turbine wheel very fast. At the four corners of the car I support rigid upright cylinders which are connected with an oil tank mounted on the car at any convenient place. Each cylinder has a vertically movable 3o piston which carries at its lower end a small wheel arranged to rotate transversely of the car.

Asthe turbine wheel spins round under the impulse of the exhaust gases, it pumps oil intothe cylinders above the piston, whereby the parking wheels are first lowered to the ground and then I the car is gradually lifted off its running wheels. Each pair of parking wheels is geared to a small electric motor, and these motors are automatically set in operation after the car has been 40 raised to drive the parking wheels-right or left as desired. The connections between the gas turbine and the hydraulic cylinders are such that a few pounds pressure of theexhaust gases against the turbine blades, is sufiicient to raise 45 the heaviest carbuilt.

The various operations above described follow automatically upon the mere turn of a key or knob on the instrument panel of the car, so that even a child can drive the car sideways.

50 The control keys are preferably self-restoring and the side movement 'of the car. stops automatically when the operated key is released. The car is supported in raised position by the oil or other fluid pumped into the cylinders, and

5.5 the turn of a separate key causes the oil to flow out of the cylinders back into the tank, whereby the car sinks to normal position. In a more elaborate embodimet of my invention I also include provisions for swinging either end of the. raised car right or left, and these operations are 5 controlled by a pair of extra keys. An automobile equipped with my invention can be driven sideways in either direction as easily as forward or backward, so that it can be quickly moved into and out of parking position, out of a rut 10 or hole in the highway, or Wherever a side movement of the car is necessary. Another use of my device is as a jack to hold the car up for changing tires or giving access to parts underneath. The mechanism of my invention is com- 15 paratively simple and can be installed on any make of motor car.

The novel features and practical advantages of my invention will be understood from a description of the accompanying drawings, in which 0 Fig. 1 shows a perspective of an automobile equipped with a preferred embodiment of my new parking mechanism, the body of the car being omitted for clearness;

Fig. 2 is a side view of a portion of the parking mechanism in position on a car, the front part of which is indicated in dotted outline;

Fig. 3 is a front view of the parking mecha- Y nism, which is broken away at the right for lack of space Fig. 4 represents a plan of Fig. 3; Figs. 5 and 6 are sectional views of one of the hydraulic cylinders on which the car is raised and moved sideward, these views being at right angles to each other; 5

Fig. 7 illustrates the parking mechanism in top 'plan view, the chassis of the car being indicated in dotted outline;

-Fig. 8 shows diagrammatically the valve-controlled pipe connections between the hydraulic 40 cylinders and an oil tank, and also the connections leading from the exhaust manifold of the engine to the gas turbine that pumps oil into the cylinders; a

Fig. 8a is a diagrammatic plan view of a section of the gas turbine wheel'shown in Fig. 8 to illustrate the angular arrangement of the blades against which the exhaust gases impinge;

Fig. 9 shows a solenoid for operating a valve that connects the exhaust manifold of the engine either with the gas turbine or with the mufiler of the car;

Fig. 10 is a face view of a solenoid-operated valve in the pipe connections between the oil tank and the cylinders;

Fig. 11 illustrates a side view of Fig. with the valve sectioned for clearness;

Fig. 12 shows a preferred arrangement of the parking keys on the instrument board of. the 5 car; 4

Fig. 13 is a plan View of the switch mechanism operated by a parking key;

Fig.14 is a rear end view of Fig. 13 along section line |4-|4; and

Fig. isa diagram of circuits controlled by the parking keys.

The chassis or framework IU of an automobile carries two pairs of upright cylinder heads l2 and I3, which may conveniently be secured to 15 the channel bars or rails M at each end of the car. The two front cylinder heads l2 are provided with brackets |5 which terminate in fiat extensions I6 adapted to fit-against the channel bars |4' to which the brackets are secured by bolts H5 or' other fastening devices. This will be clear from Figs. 2, 3, and 4. ,I may use reinforcing blocks |'l fitted snugly. in channel bars l4 for receiving the bolt l6, whereby the rigidity of the supporting structure is increased. The rear cylinder heads |3 are provided with brackets l8 which may be secured to the channel rails M in the same way as brackets l5 or otherwise.

The brackets l5 and I8 may be cast integral with their respective cylinder heads. In the present construction, the front cylinder heads l2 are also utilized to support a pair of head-lights I8, and the outer shell of each head-light may be integral with the cylinder head. The cylinder heads l3 may be formed with a chamber orrecess 20 (see Fig. 8) adapted to contain an elec tric light 2| which shines through a lens or window 22 of appropriate color, such as red.

The four upright cylinder heads l2 and I3 are parts of hydraulic mechanism for lifting the car off its running wheels 23. Since these four cylinder heads and the associated parts are alike in I structure, a detailed description of one unit will suffice for all. Referring to Figs. 5 and 6, each cylinder head l2 carries a depending cylinder 24 which fits tightly in a recess 25 of the cylinder head and is secured by screws 26 or otherwise. A collar 21 inserted in the upperend of'cylinder 24 receives the fastening screws 26. The bore 28 of collar 21 forms an axial continuation of a central bore 29 in cylinder head l2, and these two bores constitute an oil inlet passage for cylinder 24. Each cylinder head has a lateral passage 3| communicating with the axial bore 29 and adapted to receive a screwthreaded end of a short pipe 32, which is screwed at its other end into a T-joint 33, as best shown in Fig. 6. It should be remarked that Fig. 6 shows a rear sectional view of the left front cylinder head I2 and its associated parts. I mean left from the viewpoint of a person in the car. The pipe 32 has a central hexagonal collar 34 which acts like a nut for receiving a monkey wrench orother tool. The two T-joints 33 attached-to each pair of cylinder heads are connected by a cross-bar 5 35, which is not a pipe for carrying oil, but rather a brace or tie adapted to increase the rigidity of the-cylinder structurejat each end of the car. Each T-joint 33 is connected to the top of a vertical pipe 36, which screws at its lower end 7 into a socket 31 fixed to channel bar l4 in any practical way, as by welding, bolts, rivets, or otherwise. It goes without saying that the joints between socket 31 and passage 3| are fluid-tight, and this applies to each cylinder 75' assembly. v

Referring to Figs. 5 and 6, each cylinder 24 contains a piston 38 mounted to operate with an oil-tight fit, as in gas engines. The stem or rod 39 of piston 38 extends through an opening in the bottom plate 40 of cylinder 24, and a block 4| is rigidly secured to the projecting end 42 of the piston rod. The block 4| may be a single casting (as of duralumin) which engages the piston rod in a tight'fit and is secured by a crosspin 43 or by other practical means. The upper portion of block 4| is cylindrical for receiving a cylindrical sleeve 44 which is slidably mounted on cylinder 24. The two slidable sleeves 44 at each end of the car are rigidly connected by a frame 45 which terminates in collars 46 for receiving the lower ends of the sleeves. Bolts or other fastening members 41 secure the block 4| and sleeve 44 to each end'of frame 45, so that the connected parts constitute a unitary structure mounted for vertical movement in the associated pair of cylinders 24. The sleeves 44 preferably engage the cylinders 24 with minimum contact area to reduce friction, but without weakening the. firm connection between the two parts. For this purpose each sleeve has an annular shoulder 48 at the top adapted to engage the cylinder in a close sliding fit, and the lower end of the cylinder has a similar shoulder 49 which fits snugly in the sleeve. Thus', the annular shoulders 48-49 are the only contact surfaces between the relatively slidable parts 24 and 44, which are separated by a narrow air chamber 58. The space or chamber 5| in each cylinder 24 ,below the piston 38 is open to the outer air through vents 52 at the bottom of cylinder 24 and vents 53 at the top of sleeve 44.

This is necessary for the free movements of the pistons in their respective cylinders. However, the space or chamber 54 above the piston 38 (in any position of the latter) is always out off from (the atmosphere and is in controllable communi- Each block 4| carries a small wheel 55 fixed on a rotary shaft 56, which is journalled in suitable bearings. A good way to support the shaft 56 ison cylindrical rollers 51, arranged divergently at the opposite ends of the shaft (see Fig. 5), whereby the rollers also hold the shaft against axial movement. The rollers 51 are retained between annular bushings 58 and 59, and these assembled units'may be obtained in the market. To mount the wheel 55 in its supportingblock 4|, the bearing units are first inserted from the inside, then the wheel is positioned between the bearings, and then the shaft 56 is passed through the aligned bearings and wheel. The latter is keyed to the shaft, which is held in place by end collars 56 and 68. The collar 56 may be integral with shaft'58. The four extra wheels 55 are arranged to rotate in a direction crosswise of the car, for their function is to move the car sidewardf as when getting it into or out of parking position. For this reason I shall referaoeoyee pinion or worm 6 2 fixed on a transverseshaft 63, which is driven by an electric motor 54 attached to frame 45. That is to say; each pair of parking wheels 55 is geared to the opposite.

motors ii l65 arerigidly secured to their re- 1o spective cross-frames 45 in any practical way, as by a bracket 66 bolted to the framedsee Figs. 3-4). The ends of eachdrlving shaft 63 are mounted in bearings 61 (see Fig. 6) formed on each block 1H, and these bearings are preferably enclosed in an oil-tight box or casing 68 which is removably attached to one side of the block by screws 69 or otherwise. In this way, the gear connections between the electric'motors B l-65 and the parking wheels 55 are completely hidden and may run in a bath of lubricating oil within the casing. The gear connections B2-5I transmit the high speed of motor shafts 63 to the parking wheels 55 in greatly reduced ratio, so that very little power is needed to move the elevated car slowly in a lateral direction. The electric motors E i-65 should be reversible, for reasons that will be understood as the description proceeds. I

It is clear from the preceding paragraph that each cross-frame 95 and all parts connected thereto are supported for vertical movement as a rigid unitary structure, which isslidably mounted on the associated pair of cylinders 2d. An

expanding coil spring Id in each cylinder normally holds the piston 38 in uppermost position, so that each frame 95 is yieldably suspended by a pair of springs, which hold the parking wheels 55 oh" the ground. By making the various parts of each frame structure (except the electric mo- 49 tor) of light strong metal, like an aluminum alloy, the weight normally supported by each pair of coil springs III need only be a few pounds. The springs 79 are sufficiently strong to press the blocks A l against the bottom of cylinder heads 82-53, so that the suspended frames d5 can not rattle when the car is running. washer of leather, rubber, or the like, may be interposed between each block GI and the bottom of the adjacent cylinder 24. Putting the 50 coil springs I0 inside the cylinders 26 is perhaps the simplest and most convenient arrangement for normally holding the side wheels oil the ground, but any other practical means may be used for that purpose. It should be noted that 55 the slidable connections between each crossfrazhe 45 and the associated pair of cylinders 24 remainjirm andfstable even when the pistons 38 are at the lower end of the cylinders. is due to the fact that each cylinder 26 is engaged on the inside by piston 38 and on the outside by sleeve 44, and that the piston rod 39 is always in snug contact with the bottom 40 of the cylinder. Consequently, when fluid is forcedinto the cylinder chambers M to push the pistons 38'out and raise the case (as will later be explained in detail), the car is supported on the four parking wheels 55 as securely as on its running wheels.

I shall now describe the connections for pump- 7 1 ing oil or other fluid into the upper chambers 54 of cylinders 24 to raise the car on the side wheels 55. An oil tank II of suflicient capacity is supported on the car at any convenient point, preferably out of sight. In Figs. 1 and '7, I have 15 shown the tank 'Il mounted beneath the body of If desired, a

This

the car near the rear axle, but any other position will do, depending largely. upon the particular design of chassis. In actual practice, the best fluid to use for operating the pistons 38 is probably oil, and so I shall refer to Ii as an oil tank, with the understanding that any other practical kind of incompressible fluid maybe employed. A pipe II leads from tank II to four branch pipes I2, I3, I4, and I5, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8. It should be understood that Fig. 8 is largely diagrammatic, and for that reason the four branch pipes 12-15 are shown spread out in elbow form to promote clearness in the drawings. The two branch pipes I2 and I3 connect with a pipe I6, and the other branch pipes I4 and "I5 connect with a pipe II which is in axial alignment with pipe 15. The four branch pipes 12-15 contain each a valve I8, I9, 80, and BI respectively, and these valves may be of any practical construction. For convenience, I have shown each valve as a rotary cylinder 82 (see Fig. 11) mounted in a seat 83 to which the pipes are connected. Each valve cylinder 82 has a passage 84 arranged to move from open to closed position, I

and. vice versa, when the valve is rotated through a predetermined arc, which in this case is only a few degrees. Each valve cylinder 82 has a shaft 85 provided with a crank arm 86 which carries a link 8'! by means of a pivot pin 88. The

link 81 is connected by a pin 89 to a magnetic core or plunger 91'! of a solenoid coil C. A contracting coil spring 9i normally holds the crank arm 86 against a fixed stop 92, and when the coil C is energized it pulls down the plunger until the crank arm strikes another fixed stop 93. The spaced stops 9293 may conveniently be secured to the cover plate 94 of valve seat 83. Let it be understood that the valve structure shown in Figs. 10-11 is applicable to all four ValVes'IS II, which normally are held closed by springs 9|, and opened when the solenoids are energized. As I shall explain later, the circuits of the valve-operating solenoids are controlled by buttons or keys on the instrument board of the car.

A small gas turbine designated as a Whole by G is supported beneath the body of the car between the aligned pipes. I6 and TI. present instant, the gas turbine G comprises a casing shaped to provide a pair of annular chambers 95 and 96, between which a turbine wheel 97 is mounted for rotation at high speed under the action of the exhaust gases expelled from the cylinders of the automobile engine. The turbine wheel 9'! is provided at its periphery with radial blades 98 and the spaces 99 between the blades form the only communication between chambers 95 and 95. The turbine wheel 91 and blades 98 may be a single casting of duralurnin or other light strong metal, and the diameter of the wheel need not exceed twelve inches. As shown in Fig. 8a, the turbine blades 98 are arranged at an angle, so that gases striking all the blades simultaneously in the direction of arrows I 00 cause the wheel 91 to rotate in the direction of arrow I III. If the gases strike the blades 98 from the opposite direction, the wheel 91 will rotate in the direction of arrow I02. The turbine wheel 9! is keyed to a shaft I03 which projects through the turbine easing into oil pipes I6 and II, as shown in Fig. 8. The ends of shaft I03 are provided with. screw blades or spiral propellers I04 adapted to pump oil from tank 'II through pipes I6 and TI when the turbine wheel 91 rotates. The spiral propellers I94 may be cast in- 4 In the tegral with shaft I03 or they maybe attached to the ends of the shaft as separate extensions. Since Fig. 8 is mainly diagrammatic, I have not attempted to show any details 'of the oil-tight connections between turbine shaft I03 and pipes 16-11, for such connections are well known .to,.

mechanical engineers. The feed screws 'or blades I04 are so fitted that they run smoothly with minimum friction in pipes 16-11.

As shown in Figs. '7 and 8, the oil feed pipes 16 and 11 terminate at their'outer ends in'bifurcations I05 to which four pipes numbered I06 to I09 are connected. These distributing pipes are preferably flexible tubing to facilitate their placement on the chassis, as will be.understood from Fig. '1. The function of pipes I 06-I09 is to distribute oil to the four cylinders 24, and so these pipes. are connected to the sockets 31 (see Fig. -6), which are provided with lateral nipples H0 for receiving the flexible pipes in an oiltight fit. In the diagrammatic view of Fig. 8 I have shown the distributing pipes I01 and I09 connected directly to the lateral passages 3| (see Fig. 6) of cylinder heads I2 and I3, in order to simplify the drawings. This direct connection 'may also be used in practice, but I think it improves the appearance of the hydraulic cylinder assembly (at-least at the front of the car) to have a rigid 'pipe 36 adjacent each cylinder. Incidentally, the pipes 36 increase the rigidity of the structure. When the two valves 19 and 80 are open, as shown in Fig. 8, the operation of turbine wheel 91 pumps oil simultaneously through all four pipes I06-I09 into the upper chambers 54 of cylinders 24, so. that the entire car is raised and supported on the four parking wheels 55. The exhaust pipe II2 of the automobile engine contains'a .valve H3 which is here shown in the form of a rotary disk 'or cylinder mounted in a 41 fluid-tight casing II4. A branch pipe II5 leads from valve casing M4 to the annular inlet chamber 95 of the gas turbine. The adjacent outlet chamber 96 is connected by a pipe H6 to the atmosphere either directly or through the exhaust 45 pipe II2, as indicated in Fig. '1. It is clear from that drawing that the exhaust gas turbine G is shunted around the usual muffler N1 of the car, and the function of valve H3 is to send the exhaust gases either directly through the 5 mufiier H1 or through the gas turbine G. For this purpose I provide the rotary valve 3 with a passage I I8 which has an enlarged end I19. When the valve II3is in normal position as shown in Fig 9, it closes the branch 55 pipe I I5 and connects the exhaust pipe II2 to mufiier II1, so that the exhaust gases pursue their usual course. However, when the valve I I3 is moved to the position shown in Fig. 8, the exhaust manifold of the engine is shut off from the muffler and connected to the gas turbine G,

which is operated at tremendously high speed by the exhaust gases to pump oil into both pairs of cylinders 24. The turbine-controlling valve H3 is fixed on a rotary shaft I20 which carries at its outer end a crank arm I2I, and a pivot pin I22 on the crank arm supports a link I23 which is connected by a pin I24 to'a lever I25 pivoted at I26 to a suitable support. The pivoted lever I25 70 carries a-magnetic core or-plunger I21 arranged to move-into and out of a fixed solenoid coil I28. A'contracting coil spring I29 normally holds the lever I25 against afixed stop I30, so that the passage I I8-I I9 in valve II3 leaves the exhaust 75 pipe II2 open to muffler II1. When the coil I28 the car.

is energized, the lever I25 is rocked clockwise (as viewed in Fig. 9) until it strikes a second fixed stop I3I. The valve I I3 is now in the position shown in Fig. 8 to connect the gas turbine G with the exhaust manifold of the engine. When the circuit of coil I28 is broken, the tensioned spring I29 instantly moves the valve H3 back to normal position. I might explain here that in Fig. 7 I purposely omitted the solenoids that operate the five valves 18-8I and I I 3, be-

cause those parts would have to be shown on a scale too small for clearness.

A person sitting in the drivers seat of an automobile eduipped with my invention is able to control the operation of the parking mechanism in every way by merely turning a key or button. Fig. 12 shows a practical arrangement of parking keys mounted on the instrument board I32 of There are four keys numbered I34-I31, which in the present embodiment of the invention are turnable to the right or left, except the restoring key I31 which need turn only in one direction. When I speak of the controlling members I34-I31 as keys, both in the description and claims, I use that word as a convenient term to designate'any practical form of finger piece, whether knob, button, lever, or what not, and irrespective of whether the finger piece is operated by turning, pushing or pulling. The parking keys I3 I-I31- are held in normal position as shown in Fig. 12 by suitable spring means to be presently described. The general operations effected by the parking keys are these (to state them briefly):

When the top key I34 marked Side drive is turned either way and held, the valve H3 is moved to the position shown in Fig. 8, and the gas turbine G pumps oil into all four cylinders 24 until the car is raised on the four side wheels 55. The oil-pumping operation is thereupon automatically stopped and the two parking motors 64-65 are simultaneously energized to move the car sideward. If the key I34 is turned to the right, the motors 6465 propel the car toward the right; and if the key is turned left, the motors move the car toward the left. It may be assumed that the directions right and left are in this instance. from the viewpoint of a person in the drivers seat. The car is propelled right or left (as the case may be) on the parking wheels 55 as long as the key I34 is held in turned position. To stop the car, the operator lets go of the key, but that does not lower the car on its run ning wheels. To do that, the operator turns the bottom key I31 marked Restoring key, which opensthe return valves 18 and 8|, while the other two valves 19-80 stay closed. By referring to Fig. 8, it will be seen that the cylinders 24 are now in communication with return pipes 12 and 15, through which the oil is forced out of the cylinders back into the supply tank H. No pumping action is necessary for the emptying of .lcylinder chambers 54, because the weight of the When the key I35 marked Front swing is turned either way and held, the valves 19 and 80 are opened and the valve 3 is moved to the position shown in Fig. ass when the key M4 was actuated. The gas turbine G now pumps oil into all four cylinders 24 until the car is 5 raised to the limit, whereupon the front electric .motor 64 is automatically energized and drives the two front wheels 55 right or left, depending upon which way the key I35 was turned. The rear motor 65 remains idle. When key i36 is operated, the car is raised as before, but this time it is only the rear motor that runs, so that the car is swung at the rear end to the right or left. The release of key I35 or I35 stops the side swing of the car, which remains in raised position until the restoring key I31 is turned. The side drive key I M is used to move into and out of parking position parallel with the curb. The rear swing key I36 will mostly beused to swing the rear end of the car into parking position when the car has stopped at an angle to the curb, as is usual when driving from the middie of the street toward either side. When the driver of a parked car wants to get out of parkingposition, he may turn the top key 134 to move away from the curb parallel with the street, but he may also use key 835 to swing the front end of the car right or left (as required) clear of the car ahead, or he may use key 336 for a rear swing of the car when he wants to back out from. the curb. If the car to be unparked is so closely hemmed in by cars in front and behind that there is no room for swinging either end, it is still possible toget out of parking position by turning the side drive key I38. words, an automobile equipped with my invention needs only aniinch or two more than its own length forparking space." This explains the practical advantages of my new-parking automobile in the tramc-jammed streets of large 40 cities.-

Each parking key i3 3, I35 and I36 operates certain switch mechanism which I shall now de-' scribe. Since these mechanisms are structurally alike, a descriptoon of one will do for all. We

45 may assume that Fig. 13 shows the switch mechanism for key I35. A rectangular frame indicate-d as a whole by F is mounted on the back side of panel E32 by bolts i38, and this frame may be a single casting of light metal or prefer- 5U, ably insulating material such as bakelite, hard rubber, fiber, porcelain, or other moldable composition sufficiently strong. The switch frame F comprises a pair of side bars i353 and Mil connected to two cross pieces Mi and M2 in which 55 a shaft H3 is mounted for combined rotary and their different shapes are best shown in Fig. 15.

The side bar E39 of insulated-frame F carries six 65 contact fingers marked consecutively from M9 to i5 3, and the other side bar M0 carries three contact fingers i235, H56, and I51. The nine contact fingers 5 39-451 may be strips of spring brass arranged to press attheir ends against the switch 70 cylinder iii. A contracting coil spring 558 normally holds each cylinder I56 (and therefore each parking key 834-7835) in neutral position,- as

shown in Fig. 15. Each switch shaft M3 is provided with a V-shaped groove or slot i 59 in which 75 engages the pointed end of, a fixed pin Hi0,

In other When the parking keys M l-I36 are in normal position, the pin E60 is held by spring H58 in the apex of the V-shaped cam slot- 'i59, as seen in Fig. 15. This action of spring H58 may be 9.0-

a parking key is turned either way, the cam device" l59-i5fl causes a forward axial movement of shaft M3 until the pin'iiiil strikes one end end of groove H59. Figs. 1314 show the position of shaft M3 and theparts mounted therein after the parking key has been turned. The rotationof keys 134-136 is only through a small angle and the axial movement of shaft M5 is so slight as to be-hardly perceptible by the operator. When an actuated parking key is released, the tensioned spring I58 instantly returns the parts to normal position. The cam pin ltd, as well as the hook it! to which one end of spring M8 is attached, may be mounted on frame F, so that each parking key and its'associated switch mechanism can be secured as an assembled unit to the back side of the instrument panel H2. The parking keysfof course, are attached to the projecting ends of their respective shafts after the units have been mounted in place.

The restoring key i3? requires no axial movement, so it is mounted on a rotary shaft m2 (see Fig. 15) which may be supported in any practical way behind the panel i32, as by a frame or bracket similar to frame F.- The shaft 952 carries an insulated cylinder M3 which is provided with a,

contact piece ltd of. brass or other good conducting metal. The contact piece ltd has a lateral extension 565 at the center, and three switch fingers 465, it? and H68 are arranged to engage the cylinder 53 and its contact piece WI. The switch fingers EGG-M3 may be strips of spring brass mounted on an insulated frame like the fingers ltd-i5? in Fig. 13. Suitable spring means, such as a tensioned coil spring like spring H8 in Fig. 14, normally holds the key shaft H32 in.

the position shown in Fig. 15. That is to say,

the lateral contact extension it5 is normally midway of switch fingers iB'l-HSB, while the finger 556 is always inengag'ement with contact I64.

When the key it! is. turned either way, one of the switch fingers MTV-158 engages the contact .extension W5, so that the switch finger IE8 is electrically connected to either of the other fingers. Suitable stop means positively limits the rotary movement of key id? to the required amount. It is not necessary that the restoring key i3! shall be turnable both ways, for it is sufiicient that it turn one way, say clockwise. In that case, the

' switch finger it? is not needed.

I have stated that, after the' car has been lifted up on the parking wheels 55 by thepumping of oil into cylinder chambers 5d, the electric motors 6t-65 (either or both of them) are automatically energized to actuate the parking wheels. This automatic closing of the motor circuits is accomplished by means of switch mechanism mounted on a slidable sleeve it at the front and rear of the car. Referring to Fig. 6, the sleeve dd carries a small box or casing H59 in which four insulated switch blades ilfl to H3 are mounted. The casings 559 are preferably arranged on the inner side of sleeves iii to make them less conspicuous, as shown in Fig. 8. Asimple way to support the switch blades lid-H3 is by inserting theirv lower ends tightly into spaced slots in an insulating block i 14 securedinside the box. The switch blades Nil-W3 are preferably strips or fingers of spring metal, and are normallyheld by inherent tension out of cont-act with each other. The switch members Ill and I13 may be rigid contact buttons, but it is probably cheaper to use four spring blades. The two spring blades I10 and I12 5 are connected by an insulating piece I15, and the inner blade I10 carries an insulating button I16 arranged to project through an opening in sleeve 44 across the space 50 into contact with cylinder 24. The end of button I16 may be bevelled and is adapted to engage a cam shoulder I11 near the lower end of cylinder 24. The normal distance between button I 16 and cam shoulder I11 is so calculated that those parts engage when the car has been lifted the required height. When 15 the cam shoulder I11 pushes the button I16 outward, the connected spring blades I10 and I12 are simultaneously forced against the adjacent contacts HI and I13, respectively, to close the cir'c'uits of motors 64 and 65 (or either one of them). Consequently, the raised car is now propelled laterally on wheels 55 in the desired direc- -tion, and this sideward movement follows automatically the lifting operation of the parking mechanism. In other words, when a person turns one of the parking keys I34-I36, the car is first lifted and then moves sideward until the key is released. This parking control is so simple that even a child can do it.

We are now ready to take up the electric circuit connections in Fig. 15. To facilitate the v tracing of circuits, I have differentiated the nine switch fingers I49-I51 associated 'with parking keys I34-I36 by the sufiix letters a, b, and c. For the same reason, the four switch blades I10--I13 carriedby one of the rear sleeves 44 are distinguished by prime marks from the corresponding switch bladeson one of the front sleeves. A. storage battery I18, or other source of current carried by the car, is connected at its terminals to a pair of main conductors I19 and I80. For convenience we may assume that conductor I19 is the positive lead. I might explain here that, when I speak of wires in describing the circuits, I mean broadly any suitable form of electric con- 45 ductor, whether a wire, plate, bar, spring blade, and the like. The negative battery lead I80 is connected by wire I8I to a conductor I82. The armature windings of motors 64 and 65 are connected at the negative side to a conductor I83, 50 from which a wire I84 leads to switchcontact I10. A conductor I85 connects the switch contact I52a of parking key I34 and the corresponding contact I52c of parking key I36. The axial movements of shafts I43 of parking keys I35 and I36 tact members I86I81 for key I35 and a similar pair of contact membersv I88--I89 for key I36. 7 The switch members I86 and I88 are spring arms normally held by shafts I43 in pressure engagement with the associated contacts I81 and I89 respectively. The switch members I81 and I89 may be spring arms, like the movable members I86 and I88, or they may be stationary contact buttons. Each pair of switch members I86I81 and I88l 89 may be mounted on the insulating frame F, as shown in Fig. 13. When the key I35 or I36 is turned, the forward axialmovement of shaft I43 allows the spring arm I86 or I88 to move away .from the associated contact I81 or I89 and open 70 theswitch, for a purpose that will presently-become clear. The inherent set or tension of spring blades I86 and I88 is such that when unrestrained they are out of engagement with the associated contacts I81 and I89. 75 Still referring to Fig. 15, the movable switch control each a switch comprising a pair of conarm I86 is connected by wire I00 to the positive terminal of the armature winding of motor 65. The switch contact I81 is connected by wire I92 to battery lead I19, which goes to switch contact I89. The associated switch arm I88 is connected by wire I93 to the positive terminal of the armature winding of motor 64. A conductor I95 is connected at one end to switch arm I49a, and at I96 to a conductor I91, which is connected at one end to switch arm I490. The corresponding switch'arm I49b of key I35 is connected to conductor I95 by wire I98. A conductor I88 is connected at its ends to switch arms I500. and I50c, and the corresponding switch arm I50b is connected to the same conductor by wire 200, so that these three switch members are connected in parallel. A conductor 203 is connected at its ends to switch members I5Ia and I5Ic, and the corresponding switch member I5Ib-is connected to conductor 203 by wire 204. In other words, the three switch members I5 Ia, I5Ib and I5Ic are connected in parallel to conductor 203, which is connected by wire 205 to conductor 206. The ends of conductor 206 are connected to switch members I13 and I12 ofthe two motor-controlling switches operated by sleeves 44,,as previously explained. The three pairs of switch arms I55I56 (differentiated by the suflix letters a, b and c for the parking keys I34, I35 or I36) are connected in parallel to the common conductor I82 by wires 201, 208, and 208 respectively. The switch arm I52b is connected to conductor I85 by wire 2I0, and awire 2 connects the switch members I61-I68 of restoring key I31 to wire 209. The three switch arms I53 (a, b, c) are connected in parallel to conductor I82 by wires 2I2, 2I3 and ,2 I4 respectively.

In the description of Fig. 8 I stated that the four valves 18-8I were each operated by a solenoid, and in Figs. 1011 this solenoid comprises a coil 0. In the circuit diagram of Fig. 15, these four solenoids are represented by coils 2I5 to M8 for valves 18 to 8| respectively, and the solenoid for operating valve H3 is indicated by coil I28. The three solenoid coils I28 and 2I6-2I1 are connected at one'side in parallel to a common conductor 2I8, and the other terminals of those coils are connected to wires 220, MI, and 222, which lead to switch fingers I54a, I54!) and I54c respectively. The solenoid coils 2I5 and 2I8 for valves 18 and 8| are connected. in parallel between battery lead I19 and wire 223, which leads to switch memberI66. The shunt field winding 224 of the front motor 64 is connected to wires 225 and 226, to which the shunt field winding 221 of the rear motor 65 is also connected. The wire 226 goes to wire I91, and the wire 225 is connected'by wire 229 to a conductor 230 which leads to switch members I12 and I13. The positive lead I19 is connected to conductor I99 by wire 23I, and the three parallel wires 220, 22I

and 222 are connected to a common conductor 232. A wire 233 connects switch contacts I10 and HI, so that the two switches I10I1I and -I10'I1I' are connected in series and no current is consumed by the parking motors 84-65 ungisl the car is raised to its full height at both en The switch contact MI is connected by wire 234 to one side of a coil 235, which is wound on a magnetic core 236, and the other side of cell 235 is connected by wire 231 to conductor I86. It is thus clear that switches I10--I1I and I10I1I' and the relay coil 235 are connected in series between conductors I83 and I86, and

coil 235 is energized as 'soon as the parking mo-- tors 6465 start to operate. The parts 235-236 constitute an electromagnetic relay for controlling a pair of switches 238-239 and 24024I. 5 The switch members 238 and 240 may be movable spring arms of magnetic metal or otherwise provided with an armature arranged to be attracted to core 236 when coil 235 is energized. The other switch members 239 and 2M may be spring blades 10 or simply stationary contacts normally engaged by the movable arms 238 and 240. A wire 242 connects the switch arm 238 to battery lead I19, and the associated switch contact 239 is connected by wire 243 to conductor 2I9. The nori5 mally closed switch 240,24I is in the ignition system 244, which I have indicated for convenience as a simple battery circuit operating an ignition coil 245. When the 'relay coil 235 is energized, the two switches 25 tion, so that the gas turbine G stops and the oil in cylinder chambers 54 is prevented from returning to tank 1!. In other words, during the operation of.-motors 64-65, the car is safely supported on four columns of oil. The operation of 30 gas turbine G stops when valve H3 is moved to normal position and disconnects the inlet chamber 95 from exhaust pipe -I I2, so that the switch 240-2 is really not necessary. It may be used,

however, to stop the engine and thereby save 3 fuel during the lateral movement of the car.

In the normal position of keys I34-I3'I, all electric circuits are open, 'due to the relative arrangement of the fixed and movable contact members in the switch mechanism controlled by 40 each key. This is'clear by looking at Fig. v 15.

Let us suppose that key I34 is turned to the right (i. e., in the direction of arrowhead 246). The key stops when the lateral extensions I46 and I48 on contact pieces MM and I460. engage the.

- brushes or fingers 150a. and I54a respectively. At the same time, the finger I550. engages the lateral extension I45 at one end of the U-sh'aped contact piece I'45a. The axial forward movement of shaft I33 shifts the contact strip I41a 5 into engagement with fingers I52a and I56a."

The adjusted position of switch cylinder I44 is shown in Fig. 1.3, which applies to any .one of the keys I34, I35, and I36. The turning of the side drive key I34 to the right simultaneously energizes the solenoid coils I28, 2I6, andtll which operate the associated valves I I3, 19, and 90.- The energizing circuits are closed through these connections: from battery lead I19 (assumed to be the positive terminal), wire 242, closed switch 60 239-439, wire 243 to conductor 2I9, through coils I28, M6, and M1 in parallel to the common conductor 232, across the switch arms I54a-I53a which are closed by contact'l48a, wire 2I2, conductor I 82, and through wire'IIiI to the return 65 lead I89. The energizing of coil I28 operates valve H3 to connect the inlet turbine pipe H5 with exhaust. pipe. H2, and the energized coils 2% and 2I'I open the associated valves I9 and 60, as shown in Fig 8. Consequently, the high-speed 7O gases from the exhaust manifold of the engine rotate the turbine wheel 91 very fast, and the spiral screws or propellers I04 pump -oil simultaneously into .all four cylinders 24, as previously explained. The first efiect of the oil entering the 75 cylinder chambers 54 is to push down the pistons 238239 and 20 240-24I are simultaneously opened to break the 38 against the lifting tension of springs 10', until the parking wheels 55 touch the ground. As the oil continues to flow into the hydraulic cylinders, the pistons 38 remain stationary and the cylinders 24 are pushed up, so that the entire car slowly rises while supported on wheels 55.

The elevation of the car without sidemovement continues until the switches carried by two of the sleeves44 are closed by the cam shoulder I11 actuating the button I16 (Fig. 6), whereupon the electric motors 54 and 65 are simultaneously fenergized to rotate the four parking wheels 55 toward the right at the same speed. The motor circuits are closed in this Way: from the positive battery lead I19 across the closed switch I 89- I68, wire I93, through the armature winding of the front motor 64, wire l83 to point I63, wire I84, across the closed switch I10-I1I,' through wire 233 across the closed switch I10'-I1I', wire 234, coil 235, wire 231, conductor I95, across the closed switch I 52a- I 56a, and through wires 201-l82--I8I to the return lead I80. The circuit through the armature winding of the rear parking motor 65 is completed through battery lead I19, wire I92, across the closed switch I81- I96, wire I90, through the armature of the motor, wire I83 to point I83, and from there through the connections just traced for the armature winding of motor 64. It is seen from this that the armature windings of the two parking motors are connected in parallel, but any other practical circuit arrangement for the motors may be employed. The electric current flow through the armature coils is always in the same direction, and the direction of rotation of the motor shafts depends upon the direction of current flow through the shunt field windings.- 224 and 221. In

Fig. 15 it has been assumed that when the current flows through the field coils of each motor in the direction of arrow 241, the motor propels the car toward the drivers right; and when the current flows the other way, as indicated by arrow 248, the car moves to the left. In the present operation we turned the parking key I34 to the right, and the current through the motor field windings causes operation of the motors in the desired direction. The circuit through fieldwindings 224 and 221 goes from battery lead I19,

wire 23L conductor I99, across switch arms I50a-I5Ia which are now connected by contact 65-965 causes them to propel the raised car sideways (to the right in this instance) on parking wheels 55 until the operator releases the key I34.

This opens all. circuits and the car stops, but it,

remains supported in raised position kin wheels 55, because the valves 19, 50, and H3 re automatically closed when relay coil 235 was energized simultaneously with the starting of motors 64- 65, as already explained. T0 lower the car,

the operator turns the restoring key I31 which" closes a switch to energize the solenoid coils 2L5 and 2I8 and thereby opens the return valves 10 and iii. The circuit of coils M5 and M8 is closed from battery lead I19, through the two coils in parallel, 223, switch finger I66 which is now connected through contact I64 with either of the associated switch members I 61--I68, and through the connected wiring 2II209-I82I8I to the return main I80. The energized coils 2I5 and 2I8 open the valves 18 and8l which allow the oil in cylinders 24 to .return to the supply tank 1|, as previously explained. It goes without saying that the oil tank H is provided with the usual airinlet and outlet valves to permit the free flow of oil out of and into the tank. The 10 operator is supposed to hold key I31 until the parking wheels 55 are innormal withdrawn position, but this interval of time is only a matter of seconds. When the key I34 is turned to the left, the circuits are closed as above described, ex.- cept that the current flows through the motor field coils in the direction of arrow 248 to cause lateral movement of the car toward the left. The field circuit may now be traced from positive lead I19, wire 23I, conductor I99, across switch members I50a--I49a which are now closed by contact I45a, conductor I95 to point I96, wire I91 to point I91, through both field windings 224 and 221 in the direction of arrow 248, through wires 225 and 229 to conductor 230, through the 25 closed switches I12'I13 and 'I12I13 in parallel, wire 205, conductor 203, through the connected switch contacts I5Ia-I46a.-I55a, and through wires 201-I82I8I to the return main I80.

The operation of front swing key I35= first lifts the car on the side wheels 55 and then swings the front of the car right or left, depending upon which way the key was turned.- When the rear swing key I36 is turned, the raised car is swung sideways at the rear end. These front and rear swings are accomplished by cutting out the rear motor 65 when key I35 is operated, and cutting out the front motor 64 when key I36 is used. These operations are, of course, automatic and 40 require no attention by the operator who need only turn the key in the direction in which the car should swing. When key I35 or I36 is operated in either direction, the solenoid coils I28, 2I6 and 2H are energized to connect valve H3 with the gas turbine and open valves 19-80, and

the switch mechanism controlled by key' I 35 or' I36. In other words, the operation of lifting the car on parking wheels isthe same whether key I34, I35 or I36 is used. However, whereas key I34 starts and stops both motors 64 and 65 simultaneously, key I35 energizes only the front motor 64 and key I36 energizes only the rear motor 65.

55 -When the front swing key I35 is turned either way, the shaft I43 moves forward and opens the switch I86-I81 in the armature circuit of motor 65, which therefore remains inoperative as longas the key is held in actuated position. The front 60 motor 64, however, is energized through the same circuit connections that were described for key I34, except that now I use the switch contacts associated with key I35. When the rear swing key I36 is turned right or left, the switch I88--I88 is opened, so that no current flows through the q a lateral strain on the two wheels 55 at the other end, but "the wheels are built and mounted to withstand thatstrain, Besides, the side drive key I 34 will probably be used most of the time the heaviest car on the market.

for getting alongside of the curb and away from it.

, The exhaust gas turbine G is a'small compact device which is cheap to make and easy to install beneath-the car. By utilizing the exhaust gases of the engine to actuate the turbine wheel 91,,I am able to dispense with all mechanical connec tions between the engine shaft and the oil-pumping shaft I03. While the mass of the exhaust gases entering the annular turbine chamber vary in engines of diiferent design and horsepower, and the particular dimensions of turbine wheel 91 will be so calculatedthat the exhaust gases are capable of actuating the wheel to pump oil into cylinders 24. There is a tremendousampliflcation of power between turbine shaft I03 and cylinders 24, and this amplification is brought about by a combination of the principles of the screw and the hydraulic press. True, the amount of oil fed forward through the connecting pipes into cylinder chambers 54 during each revolution of turbine wheel, 91 is very small, but the high speed of the turbine wheel makes it possible to lift the car in less than a minute. It should be noted that the oil pressure is automatically equalized in the four cylinder chambers 54 at the'cnd of the lifting operation. The various parts of this hydraulic mechanism are, so designed and dimensioned that the small force with which the exhaust gases strike the turbine wheel is capable of pumping oil into cylinder chambers 54 to lift The operation of gas turbine G afiords a sufficiently free flow of the exhaust gases to prevent clogging of the engine cylinders. In fact, the turbine may be To illustrate the great mechanical advantages procured between the. prime mover 91 and the hydraulic cylinders 24, let us assume that the area of each piston chamber 54. is to the area of inlet passage 28 as :1. This ratio obtains when, for instance, the diameter of chamber 54 is 5.5 inches (area 23.75 sq. in.) and the diameter downward push) in each inlet 28 need only be or 12.5 lbs. It is supposed that the area of the pipe connections from the forked branches I05 of the main-feed pipes 16-11 to each cylinder inlet 28 is substantially uniform and equal to the area of the inlet. The inside area of each pipe 16-11 will therefore be (theoretically at least) equal to the combined area of the two inlet passages 28 with which that pipe connects.

so constructed that it offers about the same re- Sistance to the exhaust gases as the mufiier H1.

Therefore, the pressure necessary in each pipe l6-I'I to feed the oil through the connected piping I06'I0I and. NIB-I09 is about lbs., leaving out losses by friction. Well, let us say that in an actual mechanism it takes a pressure of lbs. in each pipe l6ll to lift a car of 6,000 lbs., asabove assumed. The next thing to find out is how great a force is required to operate the pump shaft I03. If the feed screws I04 have a pitch of 0.25 inch, and if the diameter of turbine wheel 91 is 6 inches (giving an effective leverage of 3 inches), the effort to move a load of 30 lbs. is found by the formula:

load pitch of screw 21:- Xlength of lever I Substituting the above values in this formula we get E equals less than 0.5, which means that it takes a pressure of about half a pound to operate the turbine wheel 91. I have already stated that the exhaust gases strike the turbine blades 98 at a pressure greater than one pound, so. there E (moving force) is ample power in these otherwise useless gases .preted as a limitation or to do'the useful work of lifting even the heaviest automobile made for the trade. The rate at which the car is raised depends upon the rate at which the oil is fed into the inlet passages 28,

and the rate of feeding (with a given diameter of pipes) depends upon thepitch of, feed screws I04 and the speed of turbine wheel 91. It is hardly necessary to add that the above figures are merely illustrative and are not to be interrestriction of my invention.

The self-restoring keys I34 to I31 may be replaced by rotary and slidable finger pieces adapted to remain in actuated position, so that a person can take his hand away until the car has moved to the desired position. One advantage of a selfrestoring key or button is that it can never be left in circuit-closing position by accident. By connecting'the two switches II0-I'II and I'HII'II in series, the parking motors 64Ii5 are not energized until both ends of the automobile are fully raised. Furthermore, this arrangement of switches insures simultaneous starting and stopping of the motors when key I34 is operated. The automatic stopping of gas turbine G when the car reaches the limit of its upward movement, either by stopping the engine or moving the valve M3 to normal position, prevents possible injury to the engine and the hydraulic mechanism, besides the saving of fuel. In some instances the gas turbine G may be replaced by an electric motor, which would require very,litt1e power to operate the oil-pumping shaft I03 for reasons already explained. When it is desired only to raise the car, as for inspection or changing a tire, the operator releases the actuated key just as the car starts to move sideways. The fact that no other manual operation;,; than the turning of a key or pushing of a button is necessary to lift the car and move it sideways, adds greatly to the practicability of my invention. There is plenty of room .on the instrument board of any car for the installation of the parking .keys. In a simplified form of my invention, either the 'side drive key I34 or the two side-swing keys I35I36 and all connected mechanism may be omitted, because in either case the car can be moved laterally to any desired position.

Although I have shown and described a specific construction, I want it understood that my invention is not limited to the details set forth. In embodying my parking mechanism for commercial use, engineers will doubtless decide on changes here and there in adapting the invention to cars of different sizes and designs. The basic features of my invention may be mechanically exemplified in other forms than herein set forth without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appendedclaims. Also, not all the various features herein set forth need be embodied in the same apparatus. For example, in a simplified form, my invention may be used as an hydraulic power jack mounted on an automobile to lift either end off its running wheels, as for changing a tire. In that case, the parking wheels and their associated mechanisms are omitted. When I speak of an automobile in the description and claims I mean any type of self-propelled vehicle, whether a passenger car, bus, truck, and the like. I might add that the drawings have not been made to manufacturing scale and the relative dimensions of some parts have been purposely exaggerated for clearness.

I claim as my invention:

1. An automobile provided with means utilizing the kinetic energy of the exhaust gases of the engine for raising the car, and means whereby the car is supported in raised position independently .of said gases.

2. An automobile provided with hydraulic mechanism operated by the kinetic energy of the exhaust gases of the engine for raising the car, and means whereby the car is supported in raised position independently of said gases.

3. An automobile provided at each end with mechanism for raising that end ofi its running wheels and swinging the raised end s'ideward,'

said two mechanisms being unconnected with the crankshaft of the automobile engine, and means for selectively controlling either mechanism independently of the other, whereby the car may be raised and swung sideward at either end alone.

4. An automobile provided with mechanism for raising it off at least one pair of its running wheels, means operated independently of the automobile engine for propelling the raised end of the car sideward'in either direction, a single adjustable finger piece, and. connections whereby the operation of said finger piece controls said mechanism to lift the car and also controls said means to propel the raised end of the car sideward in the desired direction, said connections including electromagnetic means.

5. An automobile provided with hydraulic mechanism for raising the car, a source of liquid supply forsaid mechanism, a turbine wheel rotated at high speed by the exhaust gases of the engine for pumping liquid into said mechanism to raise the car, and means for trapping the liquid in said mechanism to support the car in raised position.

6. An automobile provided with mechanism utilizing the kinetic energy of the exhaust gases of the engine for raising the car, said mechanism including means for supporting the car in raised position, andmeans independent of the engine for driving the raised carsideWard.

7. An automobile provided with' hydraulic mechanism for raising the car' and supporting it in raised position, a turbine wheel rotated at high speed by the exhaust gases of theengine for operating said mechanism, and means for automatically stopping said turbine wheel when the car is raised.

8. An. automobile provided with mechanism for pelling the raised car sideward, and a single ad Justable flngerpiece for controlling both of said operations in automatic sequence, said mechanism including a rotary sideward driving wheel 5 mounted on a vertically adjustable axis controlled by said finger piece for moving the wheel down to and off the ground.

9. An automobile provided onits instrument panel with a key adapted to be moved manually in opposite direction, and mechanism automatically,

controlled by said key for propelling the car sideward in either direction, the direction of this side-' ward movement depending upon the direction in which said key is operated.

'15 10. An automobile provided with parking mechanism having four wheels for propelling the car sideward in either direction, an adjustable finger piece for operating said mechanism to propel the car sideward on all four wheels, and a second adjustable finger piece for operating said mechanism to swing the car sideward on one pair of said wheels.

1l.-An automobile having two pairs of extra wheels arranged to move. the carsideward in either direction, said wheels being normally above ground, means for raising the car and supporting it on said wheels, means for actuating said wheels, and manually controlled connections for operating-said raising means and actuating means in automatic-sequence.

12. An automobile provided with at least '"one extra wheel adapted to swing one end of the car sideward, mechanism for raising the' car on said wheel and supporting it in raised position, other mechanism for actuating said wheel in either direction, and means whereby said other mechanism is automatically set in operation when the car is raised to predetermined position.

13. An automobile provided with hydraulic 4o mechanism operated by the kinetic energy of the exhaust gases of the engine for raising the car, said mechanism including two pairs of wheels for supporting the car in raised-position, said wheels being arranged to move the car sideward, and an 45 electric motor connected to each pair of wheels for operating the same. I

14. An automobile provided with at least two extra wheels adapted to move the car sideward,

mechanism for raising the car on said wheels and 50 supporting'it in raised position, other mechanism for actuating said wheels in either direction, a

rotary finger piece mounted within reach of the nected with said cylinders, a turbine wheel op- 65 erated by the exhaust gases of the automobile engine for pumping fluid from said source into said cylinders to raise the car and support it on said wheels, and means for actuating said wheels in either direction to move the raised car side- 70 ward.

16. An automobile provided at 'each endwith.

a pair of vertical cylinders rigidly supported, a piston operable in each cylinder for supporting the car in raised position, a tank of fluid supply,

75 a pair of axially aligned pipes connected with said tank, a pair of branch pipes leading from one end of each -of said aligned ,pipes to a pair of said cylinders, a prime mover having a shaft extending at its ends into said aligned pipes, means on the ends of said shaft for forcing fluid from said tank simultaneously into all cylinders when said prime mover rotates, wherebythe car is supported on said piston, and manually operable means for controlling said prime mover.

1'7. An automobile provided at one end with a pair of vertical cylinders rigidly supported, a pistonmovable in each cylinder and carrying at its lower end a wheel arranged to rotate transversely of the car in either direction, a vertically movable frame secured to said pistons, an electric motor carried by said frame and connected to said wheels for actuatingthe same in either di rection, means for forcing fiuid into said cylinders to raise the car and support iton said wheels, a switch automatically controlled by the relative movement of said cylindersand pistons for closing the motor circuit when the car 'is in raised position, whereby the raised car is moved sideward on said wheels, and manually operable means for controlling the direction of movement of said wheels.

18. An automobile provided with hydraulic lifting mechanism, a rotary device; operated by the kinetic energy of the exhaust gases of the automobile engine for pumping liquid into said mechanism, and means for supporting the car in ing mechanism, a-rotary device operated by the kinetic energy of the exhaust gases of the automobile engine for pumping liquid into said mechanism, and a controllable valve for locking the pumped liquid in said mechanism to support the car in raised position when said device stops.

20. An automobile provided with mechanism for raising at least one end of the car off the running wheels and propelling the raised carsideward, said mechanism including electric driving means for the sideward movement of the car, and manually operable means for controlling both of said operations in such a way that the second I operation follows the first in automatic sequence, Said means also controlling the direction of the sideward movement.

21. An automobile provided with means for raising at least one end of the car off the running wheels, said means being mechanically disconnected from the engine shaft, an electric motor for propelling the raised end of the car sideward, a single adjustable flnger piece, and connections controlled by the movements of said finger piece for controlling said means and motor, said connections including electric switch mechanism actuated by said finger piece.

22. An automobile provided with apparatus for raising an end of the ,car and propelling the raised end sidewalrd in either direction, said apparatus being mechanically disconnected from the shaft of the automobile engine, and a single hand-oper- .able member for controlling said apparatus to perform said raising and sideward operations in automatic sequence.

23. An automobile provided with mechanism for raising at least one end of the car oil the running wheels, an electric motor for operating said mechanism to move the raised car sideward, a single hand-operable member for controlling both' of said operations in automatic sequence, and connections whereby the direction of rotation of said motor depends upon the direction of movement of said member.

24. An automobile provided on its instrument panel with a key adapted to be manually turned in either direction, mechanism automatically controlled by said key for propelling the car sideward in either direction, the direction of this sideward movement depending upon the direction in which said key is turned, and means whereby the release of said key automatically stops the side movement of the car.

25. An automobile provided with parking mechanism adapted to raise both ends of the car and support the same in'raised position, said mechanism including means for moving the raised car sideward, and hand-operable means for so controlling said mechanism that the raised car can be moved sideward at both ends simultaneously or at either end alone, said hand-operable means also controlling the direction of said sideward movements.

26. An automobile provided with parking mechanism adapted to raise both ends of the car and support the same in raised position, said mechanism including means for moving the raised car sideward, a hand-operable member for controlling said mechanism to swing only the front end of the car sideward in either direction, and a second hand-operable member for controlling said mechanism to swing only the rear end of the car sideward in either direction.

27. An automobile provided with mechanism for moving it sideward, said mechanism including a pair of extra wheels at the front end of the car and a second pair of extra wheels at the rear a finger piece operatively connected with said mechanism for driving only the front pair of said wheels in either direction, and a second finger piece for controlling said mechanism to drive only the rear pair of said wheels in either direction.

28. An automobile provided with parking mechanism adapted to raise both ends of the car and support the same in raised position, said mechanism including means for moving the raised car sideward, a hand-operable member for controlling said mechanism to swing only the front end of the car sideward in either direction, a second hand-operable member for controlling said mechanism to swing only the rear end of the car sideward in either direction, and a third handoperable member for controlling said mechanism to move both ends of the raised car sideward.

29. An automobile provided with hydraulic mechanism for raising at least one end of the car, said mechanism including at least one cylinder and a piston movable therein, means for pumping liquid into said cylinder, and means for trapping said liquid in the cylinder to form a sealed liquid column for firmly supporting the predetermined distance to close said valve and sealed liquid column on which-the car is supported in raised position.

thereby trap the liquid in said cylinder to form a 31. -An automobile providedat one end with a necting said pistons so that they operate as a,

unit, at least one parking wheel carried by said frame for propelling the car sideward, an electric motor mounted on said frame betweensaid pistons and ,operatively connected to said parking wheel, and a single hand-operable member for controlling said mechanism, and motor.

32. An automobile provided with hydraulic mechanism for raising the car and supporting it in raised position, and a turbine wheel rotated at high speed by the exhaust gases ofthe engine for operating said mechanism, said wheel having a set of blades which are all exposed at the same time to the kinetic energy of the entering gases, whereby the low pressure of the gases is capable of driving said wheel with sufiicient power.

33. An automobile provided with at least one extra wheel adapted to .move the car sideward, mechanism for raising the car on said wheel and supporting it in raised position, an electric motor connected to said wheel, the circuit of said motor being normally open, and means for automatically closing the motor circuit when the car is supported on said wheel.

34. An automobile provided with parking.

mechanism for raising at least one end of the car I ofi the running wheels, said mechanism including a vertically movable member which carries a parking wheel, an electric motor for operating said parking wheel to move the raised car sideward, a switch automaticallyoperated when said member is at the end of its outward movement to energize said motor, and means for controlling the direction of operation of said motor.

35. An automobile provided with parking .mechanism for raising at least one end of the car off the running wheels, said mechanism including an hydraulic cylinder having a vertically movable piston, a parking wheel connected to said piston, an electric motor for operating said parking wheel to move the raised car sideward, a switch automatically operated when the piston is at the end of its outward movement to energize said motor, and means for controlling the direction of operation of the motor.

36. An automobile carrying at one end a vertically movable structure adapted to raise that end of the car, said structure carrying at least one parking wheel topropel the raised car sideward, a controllable source of power for moving said structure downward to raise'the car, an electric motor carried by said structure for operating said parking wheel, said motor being normally de-energized, means whereby said motor is automatically energized when said structure reaches the end of itsdownward movement, and means for controlling the direction of operation of said motor;

37. automobile carrying at one end a vertically movable structure adapted to raise that end of the car, said structure carrying at least one parking wheel to propel the raised car sideward, 'a controllable source of power for moving said structure downward to raise the car, a separate source of power for operating said parking wheel, said second source of power being normally inoperative, means whereby the second member for rendering said source of power ac- I tive, means whereby said source of power is automatically rendered inactive when said structure reaches a predetermined position in raising the,

15 car, and a separate source of power for operating said parking wheel to propel the raised car sideward in either direction, both of said sources of power being mechanically independent of the engine shaft.

39. Anautomobile provided at each end with apair of vertical cylinders rigidly supported,-a -piston operable in each cylinder and carrying a wheel, said wheels being arranged to rotate transversely of the car to move the same s'ideward, a tank of fluid supply, a pair of axially aligned pipes connected with said tank, a pair of branch pipes leading from one end of each of said aligned pipes to a pair of said cylinders, a gas turbine adapted to be connected to the exhaust manifold of the automobile engine, said gas turbine including a wheel mounted on a shaft which extends at its ends into said aligned pipes, the ends of said turbine shaft having means for forcing fluid from said tank simultaneously into all cylinders when the turbine wheel rotates, whereby the raised car is supported onsaid wheels, mechanism independent of said gas turbine for actuating said wheels to propel the car jsideward in either direction, and manually operable means for controlling said turbine and mechanism.

40. An automobile provided with fluid-operated lifting mechanism, and a device operated by the kinetic energy of the exhaust gases of the automobile engine for pumping fluid other than said exhaust gases into said mechanism, said fluid supporting the car in raised position.

' 41. An automobile carrying hydraulic jack mechanism which comprises a fixed cylinder attached to the car and provided with an extension at one end, an oil passage connecting the cylinder with said extension, said oil passage being parallel with the axis of the cylinder, a bore in said extension substantially at right angles to said oil passage and communicating with ;he latter,

an oil pipe connected with said it e, an oil reservoir carried by automobile and connected with said pipe, a reciprocable piston arranged in the cylinder, a vertically movable ground-engaging member connected with said piston, a coil spring in said cylinder for normally retracting the piston and holding said member in raised position, a prime mover carried by the automobile for pumping oil from the reservoir into the cylinder through said bore and passage, whereby the piston is forced outward against the tension of said coil spring to lower said member into contact with the ground and raise the car, said prime mover being mechanically disconnected from the engine shaft of the car, and means for holding 70 the pumped oil in the cylinder to support the raised end of the car, said means being releasable to allow return of the oil from the cylinder to the reservoir by the automatic retracting action of said coil spring, whereby said member is raised to normal position and the car is lowered on its running wheels.

42. An automobile carrying hydraulic jack mechanism which comprises a fixed cylinder attached to the car and provided with an extension at one end, an oil passage between said extension and the cylinder, said oil passage being parallel with the axis of the cylinder, a wall of said extension having a bore communicating with said oil passage, an oil pipe connected with said bore,

an oil reservoir carried by the automobile and connected with said pipe, a piston reciprocable in the cylinder, a vertically movable ground-engaging member connected with said piston, a coil spring in said cylinder for normally retracting the piston and holding said member-in raised position, said piston comprising a hollow cylindrical part into which the coil'spring extends, the diameter of the spring being onlyslightly less than the inner diameter of said hollow cylindrical part, a prime mover carried by the automobile for pumping oil from thereservoir into the cylinder through said bore and passage, whereby the piston is forced outward against the tension of said coil spring to lower said member into contact with the ground and raise the car, said prime mover being mechanically disconnected from the engine shaft of the car, and means for holding the pumped oil in the cylinder to support the raised end of the car, said means being releasable to allow return of the oil from the cylinder to the reservoir by the automatic retracting action of said coil spring, whereby said member is raised to normal position and the car is lowered on its selectively adjusting said valve to connect either branch pipe alone with said fluid-pressure producing means, said pump being inoperative when said other branch pipe is connected with the fluid-pressure producing means.

44. An automobile carrying a pair of hydraulic jacks at the front and asecond pair of hydraulic jacks at the rear, a pipe connection between each pair of jacks, each pipe connection being always open to maintain permanent communication between the hydraulic cylinders of the associated pair of jacks, an oil feed pipe leading to ewch of said pipe connections, whereby oil forced through each feed pipe always enters both of-the associated pipe connections for simultaneously operating the connected pair of jacks, a valve for selec-' tively controlling each feed pipe so that .either ,pair of jacks may be operated to the exclusion of the other or both pairs of jacks may be simultaneously operated, there beingthus' but one oil feed valve for each pair of jack-s which are operable in pairs only, an oil reservoir on the vehicle, and means on the vehicle for pumping oil through said valve-controlled feed pipes, said pumping means being mechanically disconnected from the engine shaftof the car. r ADOLPH A. THOMAS. 

